Racing Academy and Centre of Education
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The Racing Academy and Centre of Education (RACE) is a training academy and registered charity in Kildare, Ireland, which offers courses for jockeys and others involved in horseracing. Until 2023, RACE ran a 42-week residential course for aspiring jockeys and stable staff. Graduates of the course include Johnny Murtagh, Seamie Heffernan, Chris Hayes, Cathy Gannon, Daryl Jacob and Brian Hughes.[1][2][3] In 2023 the academy was forced to close its residential blocks for safety reasons.[3] As of 2025, RACE offers a six-week jockey preparation course (followed by a six-week placement with a trainer), as well as courses in equine nutrition, transport, schooling and administration. All courses are non-residential. There are also junior academy days.[4]
The Irish School of Farriery run by the Irish Farriery Authority is located in a purpose-built building on the RACE campus, and several other organisations involved in the equine sector are also based there.[5]
RACE is funded (as of 2023) by the Horse Racing Ireland (HRI), the Kildare-Wicklow Education Training Board, and a percentage of racing prize money.[6]